Indigenous Partnerships & Programs 1 Executive Summary Brisbane Grammar School (BGS) has made a Relationships with Indigenous people and commitment to improve the educational ambitions communities underpin the School’s vision for of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. reconciliation. These relationships improve understanding, enabling us to embrace diversity The School community is highly engaged with and ensure an inclusive school community. Indigenous matters which are vital to a culturally rich environment. We aim to contribute to closing True understanding can only emerge in a culture of the social, economic and health gap between First respect, generosity and humility. Australian peoples and the broader Australian community and aspire to build a better future. Respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, their culture and histories, help us to learn and to explore similarities and differences. Mr Noel Pearson Speech Day 2014 “Let me pay tribute to Brisbane Grammar It’s important for an advantaged people such as School for opening its doors of opportunity to ourselves to understand that not all of the doors disadvantaged Australians – particularly to our of opportunity open from the outside. If those on Indigenous Australians. I’ve been observing the the inside don’t take the effort and don’t take the progress of schools in Brisbane – and particularly step of opening the doors, those doors often in your school – in the way you have developed never open.” the program of introducing Indigenous kids to this school and growing the number of disadvantaged kids who take advantage of this premium opportunity you have. We acknowledge the Traditional Owners, and elders past and present, of all lands on which Brisbane Grammar School operates. Adrian Lingwoodock ’16, Harlin House Captain Mr Noel Pearson Speech Day 2014 3 2 3 Indigenous Partnerships Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) Our journey towards reconciliation began in 2004 The School is guided by the Council for Aboriginal with a partnership with the Cape York Leaders Reconciliation Act (1991) and the United Nations Program. on the rights of Indigenous Peoples. The School believes that, as agents for change, reconciliation Through Reconciliation Australia, the Reflect between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) program provides non-Indigenous Australians through action, will a framework for organisations to realise their make a difference. vision and to document their commitment to reconciliation. Our vision is to foster an environment of respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, The plan provides a blueprint which will enable the cultures and knowledge. We aim to address School to be more purposeful and connected when the legacy of the past by developing reciprocal attempting to Close the Gap. relationships with Indigenous peoples and their communities. Our actions enhance engagement A Closing the Gap committee was established to with Indigenous Australians, their communities commit to the development of the School’s RAP. and lands. An RAP committee, which includes Opportunities to empower future leaders will representation from staff and the BGS community, follow as an inclusive environment that embraces meets regularly and works closely with the Closing Indigenous communities is reinforced. the Gap committee to enhance the Indigenous agenda at BGS. Cover page and below: Brisbane Grammar School acknowledges artwork by Dylan Minniecon ’16. Dylan is a descendant of the Kuku-yalanji tribe. 2018 Indigenous boarders 4 5 Over the years, the spirit of reconciliation and response to specific need, has ranged from the raising of our community’s awareness and fundraising through to exchanges and service understanding of Indigenous culture, and our projects. Lady Cilento Indigenous Education Unit A partnership between the School and the Lady The Closing the Gap committee currently focus Cilento Indigenous Education Unit has been their fundraising efforts on this unit. Previously established. Staff from the unit visit BGS regularly the boys’ efforts were directed in support of and in 2018 boys from BGS will visit Lady Cilento Indigenous literacy. Hospital to assist Indigenous patients in the hospital. Indigenous dance following 2016 National Sorry Day assembly Turrbal Story – Artwork on display in the main reception at Brisbane Grammar School 6 7 Brisbane Grammar School has partnered with the Since then a group of Year 6 students from Hope Cape York Leaders Program (CYLP) for the past Vale State School visited BGS in the latter part 14 years. of 2017. The students were guided through the School by two BGS students who had previously In 2007, the Year 8 Community Service attended Hope Vale State School. These visits Committee established a connection with contributed towards the development of another Djarragun College, a school for Indigenous strong partnership, between BGS and Hope Vale children 20km south of Cairns, fundraising for State School. facilities and collecting second-hand sports gear. Students from both schools participated in The students particularly enjoyed the Indigenous exchanges. In 2009 they undertook a year-long artwork on display at the School and the Turrbal major project, the design and construction of a Garden, which was a gift to the School from the shade house on the Djarragun campus, as a part 2013 seniors. of Brisbane Grammar School’s Public Purpose Program. As part of this reciprocity, BGS Year 9 and 10 Drama productions in 2017 raised money to support the music and drama program at Hope Hope Vale State School Vale State School. During the students’ visit to BGS they displayed their talents in the drama In 2017, a BGS staff member visited Hope Vale space and in the music rooms. State School, a primary school approximately 370km north of Cairns, one of the schools that Visits to and by Hope Vale State School will participate in the CYLP. continue in the future. Mr David Carroll (Deputy Headmaster – Students) with visiting Hope Vale State School student Michael Dingo ’21 with visiting Hope Vale State School students 8 9 Michael Dingo ’21 with Hope Vale State School student and Zeke Leaupepe Perkins ’18 Mr Wilson Bennet, Student Support Officer, Cape York Leaders Program Indigenous Programs Harlin House – BGS Boarding With almost 10 per cent of BGS’ boarding residents now Indigenous students, together with boys from across Australia and overseas, diversity Student Support is one of the key strengths of the House. Diversity and access have long featured in All Indigenous Old Boys (alumni) are invited to A close knit community with outstanding Brisbane Grammar School’s charter. The School has contribute to the induction program and act as support programs across academic and activities developed an appreciation for the need to ensure mentors for new boarders as they enter Harlin enrichment, leadership and life skills, Brisbane that high levels of support, cultural awareness and House. Fostering a reciprocal relationship between Grammar School offers an exemplary boarding sensitivity are at the forefront of this endeavour, Old Boys and new students provides role models education. and must be offered not only to the Indigenous for the younger boys, reinforces the importance boys but also to their families. and value of BGS boarding for graduates and The School has developed a formal Indigenous provides a forum where Old Boys can keep in induction program. At the beginning of each year For each of our Indigenous students, those touch with each other. the School observes custom with a ‘Welcome currently enrolled and those who have graduated, to Country’ provided to Indigenous students by the School’s commitment — teaching, mentoring Boys are well supported within Harlin House local elders. We are grateful to CYLP staff for and support — to that student extends over a (boarding) and in the day school. The School’s their assistance in facilitating this event through number of years. This in itself is an indication of interest in our Indigenous students is ongoing and introductions to senior members of the local BGS’ commitment to Indigenous education. continues after the boys complete school. Indigenous community. From 2018, our boys will also engage in a leadership program facilitated by The partnership that has developed between the The School has also developed close links with Indigenous elders at the Pepperina Hill, the BGS two Support Officers from the CYLP and BGS’ on Kings College at The University of Queensland and Outdoor Education facility. site Indigenous Liaison Officer has greatly assisted The John Flynn College at James Cook University; in the support our students can draw upon. BGS both colleges are well placed to accept Indigenous At BGS we believe we have a responsibility, values this program and knows the importance of students from BGS. in partnership with the boys’ communities, to supporting students and connecting with parents celebrate and develop their Indigenous heritage and community leaders. while also educating the boys for life after school. 10 11 Closing the Gap committee National Sorry Day and NAIDOC Week In 2007, a group of Year 8 boys established a Each year BGS acknowledges National Sorry Day Closing the Gap committee. By the time they with an Indigenous student’s address at School graduated in 2011 they had created a powerful assembly. This is followed by a traditional dance legacy. They raised our consciousness as to what which is performed by Indigenous students at the the reconciliation journey might look like and School. Our Indigenous boys champion and share how we, as a community, might play a practical, the reconciliation journey with our community. hands-on role and act as advocates within the They enrich our community immeasurably just as School and broader society. we hope to provide them with opportunities that will enrich their lives and in turn the lives of their In 2018, a record 30 boys participated in this families and those in their own communities. committee with Prefect leadership at an all-time high.